Employment and income effects of improved cook stove and pico-solar interventions: An impact evaluation of the EnDev Kenya Programme

[Background] This report presents results of an impact evaluation of a market-based energy access intervention implemented by the Energising Development (EnDev) programme in rural Kenya. The EnDev Kenya intervention seeks to establish and enhance self-sustaining markets for modern energy technologies in rural areas by training and mentoring individuals on how to run small businesses in improved cook stoves or pico-solar technologies. The EnDev Kenya programme was established in 2006 and is composed of three core components: improved cook stoves, pico-solar and biogas. This report focuses on the first two components. Both are implemented by GIZ in cooperation with SNV who currently operate in 21 of the 47 counties in Kenya. The improved cook stoves component promotes the sustainable production, marketing, installation and use of the so-called ‘Jiko Kisasa Stoves’ and ‘Rocket Stoves’. According to the EnDev monitoring system, over 1.9 million improved cook stoves are in use by mid-2015, effectively reaching over 4.5 million people. The solar component was launched in 2012 and promotes the use of small solar lighting systems that have been quality approved by the Lighting Africa Initiative. Up to June 2015, over 120,000 pico-PV lanterns have been sold by entrepreneurs cooperating with the programme. Both components follow a market-based approach: Prospective entrepreneurs are mobilized in local communities and trained in technological, business and marketing skills related to either of these technologies. Following the training, active entrepreneurs gather at regular local meetings to report their sales figures to the local EnDev coordinator. These meetings also serve as a basis for exchange with the programme and other entrepreneurs, as well as the promotion of further training opportunities by EnDev. In addition, EnDev Kenya also performs a range of related activities in the target areas such as awareness creation, promotional activities, and consumer education. [...]